(To answer a recent review about describing characters, I decided to make the allegiances and the descriptions therein in a fairly similar style to how the main series does it i their books. Characters that later join into the story, like Ralph the kitty-pet or the rogue kit are usually described in the scene they first appear. They will make an appearance in the allegiances of the next book, however. Cats from the main series are, with the exception of Ice and Snake for being part of Bloodclan, not described as their allegiances already exist withing the books of the main series, as well as the Warriors wiki. Adding them would bloat the allegiances chapter to awful proportions and it's already rather sizable. If the comment was directed towards the characters being potentially underdescribed in the allegiances, I suggest joining the AU's discord, which features a slowly growing collection of artwork of the characters, from more rough concepts to scene and theme pieces of them. The link will be gladly provided to anyone requesting it in my private messages (since for some reason I can't just post it here without the site erasing hald the url)
But with that now all settled, I do hope you all continue to enjoy the story and the new chapter. May Scourge guide your claws.)
The path is long, the night air is freezing. New cuts glisten and sting as Talon pads onward. The night's endeavour has been well worth it. The fight with his in strength growing prodigy of Thunderclan has served well to quell some of the unease that's been weighing on his heart. Their talks and the calm tranquility of their shared spot by the river soothed him as it always has. Though tonight has infested Talon with a new worry as well. Hawkfrost… he'd remember the name well, now more than ever. Kin of the forest tyrant, schemer, and Scourge knows what all else. So that is how Ashfur came to the Dark Forest, to meet his ancestor and trainer. Just what has the grey pelted fool gotten himself mixed up in? He knows that it'd serve no purpose worrying too much about it, nor could he do much about it all. Still, a cat that since has earned his respect and friendship, thought more for his tenacity and camaraderie than his decision making, has landed himself in trouble he may not be able to rescue himself from in the end. This would no doubt find ways to haunt Talon's few peaceful moments and dreams, however few of them weren't poisoned already with the prospect of the possible alliance between his rivals.
With a deep breath, the cold air burning in his lungs, the red eyed tom tries to banish the the host of troublesome thoughts. Nothing has happened yet. To each problem, a solution, in time. The tall twoleg-dens rising up before him as he nears familiar grounds, he pushes himself to stride on faster. There won't be much sleep tonight, it'd be better to get as much of it as he could. Perhaps, if the day proves a calm one, he would get the chance for a brief nap or two throughout it to make up. That would be a boon, a sorely needed one. Wandering this path he has trodden many times before mercifully requires no thought, his paws guiding him on their own, even the cautious crossing of the thunderpaths having become an automatism. Deeper and deeper into familiar territory, Talon delves, his tired mind picturing the warmth of his nest. His ears twitch from time to time, scanning the direction of any noise that may be suspicious, though nothing rings perilous enough to break Talon from his advance. The scream of a fox or two in the far distance, scavenging through dumpsters on the outskirts of twoleg-place, the overly loud and odd noises of twolegs, arguing or celebrating, often difficult to discern, especially the ones still outside at this time of day…
„You smell of blood."
The sudden voice stops Talon dead in his tracks, eyes focusing into the dark from which it sounded. Though surprised and sufficiently startled, the familiarity of the voice and it's quiet tone didn't draw forth Talon's claws, his irises widening in an attempt to take in enough light to see more than the reflective eye staring back at him from the pure blackness underneath the large wheeled dumpster nearby. Though it didn't help much, faintly recognising the the white ear fluff and markings on her face, along with the lone lime coloured eye, tells the Bloodclan leader all he needs to know.
„Not able to sleep, Moon?"
His slightly risen pelt settles back down on Talon as the eye in the dark blinks at him, before looking up at the star-spangled sky.
„Not yet. Rover has yet to return. He remains on his little quest still. He claimed to have found some promising lead, but he claims so most nights. I remain doubtful."
After a few moments of gazing at the glimmering lights in the sky, Moon emerges out from under the dumpster.
„If you permit the presumption, there is not enough blood for it to have been a fight with rogues and with the direction you come from… the forest cat?"
Talon nods, the rough contours of the veteran warrior now visible, though he quickly realises that with his own dark pelt response in motion might not be very effective in such low light.
„Yes. He's coming along well as a fighter. Though there are some concerns that I have, I trust things will work out. He may be a bit foolhardy at times, but he's not incompetent when he wants to."
A brief entertained rumble sounds from Moon, the slight motion of her eye all that shows that she nods
„Sounds a lot like Rover in that regard."
Talon lets out an entertained scoff, sitting down for a moment. His muscles ache and his body welcomes the small reprieve this offers, even though he knows he should not remain stationary for too long, lest the chill in the air and ground seep into his joints and make the rest of the trip even more miserable.
„I reckon so. Outside the veteran warriors, no one else knows of him still, correct?"
Moon moves her head, but having closed her eye for it, it is difficult to tell wether she nods or shakes her head.
„Normally, yes. Though, with Frost's frustration over it, he may have or will tell someone. We were not told to treat it as a secret. Should we? I can relay that order to the others in the morning, if you wish"
Talon lets out a small breath, but shakes his head
„I mostly do not wish for it to possibly be a hinderance when I speak to Wrath again. Beyond that, it matters little to me. At least for now."
Looking out at the thunderpath stretching on ahead of him, the red eyed tom tilts his head. Few twoleg-lights around these parts. Nor are many monsters roaming the thunderpath. Their rumbling can be heard in the distance, but here it seems reasonably peaceful, despite being very dark.
„When does Rover usually return?"
„Once so, once so… Though usually he would be back by now. But you don't need to worry about that. He always returns."
With a hum, Talon rises to his paws again, stretching himself with a slight groan.
„Of course, he is a Bloodclan cat. He knows to navigate the dangers of twoleg-place as well as any of us."
Taking a few steps, Talon sees from the corner of his eye Moon falling in stride with him.
„You don't need to accompany me if you wish to rest. I would not keep you from your mate once he returns."
Speeding up a little for a few steps, Moon continues on beside Talon, close enough now to easily recognise her shaking her head.
„I could not sleep and do not mind walking a bit. And after making me wait, it wouldn't hurt Rover to wait for me a bit should he return in the meantime."
Talon casts an amused glance over at her before looking back ahead, padding along the side of the tunderpath.
„How careless for a warrior to make a veteran warrior wait."
Continuing her stride, Moon keeps looking on ahead.
„I would not invoke rank against my mate outside of patrols. Not often anyway."
Though her last words are barely more than a whisper under Moon's breath, Talon's whiskers twitch in amusement at it, though he gives no reply. Though the way stretches on, the two make good time. Soon, the high twoleg-monster den is but a few thunderpaths away. His eyes moving over to it for a brief moment suffice to bring mixed emotions to Talon's mind. They grieved for the ones they lost getting their current reserves of food. But it was also the first truly open show of affection between Grail and him. There was no veil, no rank, no excuses… a good memory. The beginning of what now feels like monumental things. The mere recollection seems to bring some warmth with it. A gentle wave of heat spreading underneath his pelt, the cold air around seeming unable to reach him.
It takes a little while before, between autonomous movement and permitting himself to delve into more pleasant thoughts for a moment for once, for Talon to note the increasingly twitchy motions of Moon's ears. Flicking from one direction to another, as if scanning the environment for something specific. Talon parts his jaws to speak, only for stress scent to hit his tongue. Worry rapidly grows within the red eyed leader.
„What is going on, Moon?"
His voice is a whisper, the sudden change in Moon's behaviour pushing Talon to caution. Enemies? Surely they would have heard another faction trying to advance. A dog perhaps, a fox that ventured further than they usually do? Moon returns Talon's look, a measure of uncertainty and confusion clouding her usually strong and certain gaze before she shakes her head.
„I believe not. I haven't heard anything to that effect. Please excuse me, just… an off feeling."
Though slowed, they pad onward, the grey furred leader's tail striking side to side in short lashes. Moon is not an emotional cat. Rover is more the type to let a feeling dictate his actions, as proven by his current endeavours. If Moon feels sufficiently alerted to let it affect her, it might be worth keeping his guard up.
„I see…"
Slow steps, observing their surroundings closely, Talon's claws itch in his paws. He may not be in the best state for a fight, but he can push himself if need be. But the moment drags on and on. They manage to travel but little distance, caution dictating every step, every shadow below, every window cill above observed, but nothing. A twoleg monster roars past them on the thunderpath. Still, nothing. A movement catches Talon's eye, but he lets out a breath upon realising it's but a small bat that crossed through the beam of light from one of the twoleg-lights. Nothing. Nothing's approaching them. They don't seem to be followed, lest it be Wraith, but even then, Talon remembers the feeling of the ghostly leader's eyes upon him from the shadows well enough and this feels different. He turns to Moon, his own pelt laying flat once more, while hers remains slightly bristled up. Maybe he is not the only one who gets stressed out over their current situation.
Moon notices Talon's look, seeming to understand his thoughts immediately, a spark of apology entering her one good eye. The sharp howl piercing the night air cuts her attempt at begging-pardon off before it begins.
Talon's head snaps over in the direction it sounded from, ears perked attentively. Against expectation however, Moon wastes no time, breaking into a dash towards the howl, leaving the leader alone for a heartbeat. Uncharacteristically incautious, but then again, she'd been on edge as was. With a growl, Talon bounds forward, speeding up despite the protest of his aching muscles, following behind the sprinting shadow that is Moon, her white tail tip being the most reliable guide in the surrounding twilight. If they heard it, others must have too. Maybe some others are on their way there too. The question of what emitted that howl answers itself in the form of a second shout. A familiar sound, a voice, far too familiar. Followed by yet another, a sound Talon curses himself for knowing so well from his own first lone ventures through twoleg-place. A high screech, a monster's tires trying to grind to a halt against rough asphalt, failing. Cold horror flows like ice water through Talon's spine, seeing Moon's speed increase yet more, running faster than any cat he'd seen in his lifetime, dashing across thunderpaths, uncaring of the monsters roaming it, causing several to let out their horridly loud trumpeting roars.
They approach where it must have come from, but Talon looses Moon, despite putting all he can into speeding forward falling far enough behind the she-cat for her to disappear behind several bends in the path. Please be wrong. It can not be as he fears. Some kitty-pet got careless. That's all. Unfortunate, but that's all. That must be it.
Talon's hope, faint and false as he already knew it to be, shatters like a falling window, winding around the last corner, the sound of Moon's harrowing cry hitting Talon before he even comes within line of sight. Paws pulling him forward, even as his mind screams against seeing it, Talon approaches the dark frame of Moon, hunched over, clinging to what resides on the thunderpath. The scent of blood begins saturating the air, before Talon can see it. Worse waft through the air with it, invoking images in Talon's mind he'd rather not see, his pawsteps getting slower the closer he gets. In the radiant cone of a twoleg-light, the stalwart veteran warrior lets out another blood-curdling wail, the shaking that's begun overtaking her rattling the sound towards the end. Red leaks out from under her, as she remains atop to brown pelt, almost as if to shield it, as if there still was something to shied. Slowly it pools more and more around, Moon's head buried in dark brown fur, shaking as the only words still arising from her are a quietly, yet frantically repeated „no".
Panting from the race here, Talon stops a good tail-length to the side of them, his ears folded flat against his skull. Only the arising patter of paws makes him look up, trying to force his ears up, but failing beyond splaying them to the sides. Viper and Edge arrive from one side, stopping short at some distance. A few quiet words are exchanged between Edge, who visibly hopes that what he concludes from scents and sounds might be wrong, and Viper, whom has no choice but to confirm her mate's worry, her eyes growing heavy with sorrow at beholding the scene before her. Moments later, Frost dashes in from the other side, panting after his quick run, stepping to Talon's side, only really getting a look from there, and freezing on the spot once he does. His ears folding low, he speaks not a word, taking a respectful step backwards again and sitting down, trying to regain his breath.
Heartbeats pass, feeling like eternities, before the shuddering mount that is Moon slowly moves, only halfway getting off, but looking up at Talon, in doing so opening up the a view that the red eyed tom knows would haunt him, his stomach feeling as though packed with ice covered rocks. Moon's white belly and chest fur are painted a bright red. The veteran warrior tries to recollect herself, attempts to not look shattered, her expression forced into something that should have resembled neutral, but even looking past the remaining shaking going through her, it fails, breaking again and again as she snaps for air or her tearing eye gets irritated, winking several times, setting lose another set of tears to roll down the side of her face, before making way for the next attempt.
Beneath, the tabby pelt of Rover lies tattered with blood. Maw torn open in a scream that never managed to escape him, a trail of blood running from it. The mark of the tire right along the side of his mid-section, just below the ribcage, is unmistakable, the horrid result of it even more so. Gut burst open, parts of insides lay outside, having been crushed under the unrelenting weight of a monster. Blood keeps drizzling forth from the cavity in his belly, some streams of it lighter, some darker, all flowing together into the crimson pool slowly extending further from his broken shape. The deep claw-marks of a swipe with reinforcing claws decorate his shoulder, one single clean hit. It takes a moment, before beyond all the rest, the bite-mark on the back of his neck is even visible. Fur darkened by blood already, the puncture wounds would be night hidden if they weren't torn a little larger than a simple bite on it's own would do.
Sadness wrestles with a rising, unyielding rage within Talon, his claws extending and digging into the asphalt. He was thrown. There was no mistake here, no accident, no argument gone out of control. He was thrown off balance and tossed onto the thunderpath. Deliberate. Rover, who was looking… looking for a traitor. A traitor Talon underestimated. Traitor… Traitor! The coward will be found and if not before, after this it will be a violent end to them. Talon's blood feels ignited in his veins.
The few monsters trying to pass are winking with their odd yellow lights, slowly trailing around the scene, seeming cautious about briefly trespassing onto the other half of the thunderpath, before resuming their journey. Talon barely notices as his pelt bristles on end. Measureless seething only ceases for a moment, as Moon with shaking legs gets up entirely, taking several deep breaths in an attempt to compose herself enough to speak, before finally going for it.
„The… the collar. He will need to be added to the Hall of Remembrance, but I would… I request to keep it for a few days."
Her eye remains low, too focused on trying to keep herself together to risk any more eye contact. An effort visibly taxing to the she-cat. Taking a deep breath, banishing his wrath from his voice at least for now, Talon nods slowly.
„…of course. Keep the collar as long as you require. I will accompany you when you chose to bring it to the Hall."
She nods without a word, her gaze not rising from the ground, as she slowly moves over, beginning to, carefully, as gently as though she was handling a newborn kit, lifts Rover's head by sliding a paw under it and slowly working the collar upwards. Talon watches as very slowly the collar is worked upwards towards the still head, before she pulls it off over it, softly as if risking to wake her mate from a nap as she lowers his head back onto the ground, the black collar hanging from her jaws before she sets it down for the moment.
„Moon, I'm so sorry. If you need anything at all…"
Viper pads closer, putting her paw on the veteran warrior's back, only to retract it at the near violent shake that is Moon's immediate reaction.
„I am… Thank you. It will be fine. I just need… I'll be fine."
Moon takes deep breaths, trying to keep her voice calm, her own claws much like Talon's hooked against the coarse asphalt beneath, the effort in her attempts to keep from breaking palpable in her every word, refusing to look any cat's way for now. Edge steps forth to sit beside his mate, silent for a bit, before his nose twitches.
„What was Rover doing out here at this time? It's late to go herb collecting for Venom."
„Herb collecting?"
Talon's entire focus immediately centres on Edge, as Viper looks to him puzzled.
„What do you mean?"
Edge's sightless face turns to face Viper, blind eyes blinking.
„Can't you smell it? He's got herb scent on him."
Before Talon can speak, Moon raises her head again at last, an expression as haunted as it is murderously furious upon her, her bared fangs shining in the descending light.
„…he found it. He was right all along, he found it. That's why…"
Talon nods slowly.
„It must be around here somewhere then… Frost!"
Turning to the pure white tom, who's pelt positively beams reflecting the straying light of the twoleg-light while sitting outside it's direct cone. His amber eyes only slowly manage to tear themselves away from Rover to return Talon's gaze.
„Run to the alley, bring back a patrol. We will find what Rover was looking for. And bring Venom."
Frost lowers his gaze for a moment before raising it again, ears splayed apologetically to the sides.
„Talon, shouldn't we first…"
Perhaps his mood is too explosive, or maybe enough of Scourge has rubbed off on him. All Talon knows is that Frost is silenced and recoils two steps as his eyes meet Talon's again. The patience runs thin behind red eyes, narrowed into nigh slits, shining like two pieces of red hot gleaming coals in the dark outside the light.
„now…"
Talon's voice does not sound above a louder whisper, a quiet word. A brief flicker of fear flashes in Frost's eyes, before it makes way for something else. Contentment? Perhaps more like pride. Pride… in Talon? The red eyed leader does not get the time to philosophise long on it, as Frost dips his head low.
„Yes, Talon."
The former second-in-command dashes off in a merciless sprint, off towards what had been Talon's destination before… this. With a quiet, self-reflecting hum, Talon turns back towards Rover. Perhaps he has become more like Scourge at times… still, it does not suffice. After the first few moons of his reign, no one would have dared do something like this under Scourge. Someone dared under Talon… but no one will ever again, once Talon gets his claws into that traitor. This, there can be no mercy for.
„If I… may make a request."
Talon's ear flicks, looking over to Moon. The shaking seems to have mostly stopped. Her breaths remain deeper than normal, trying to support her self-imposed calm, which in itself is impressive. She has taken the grieving rattle from her own voice, her eye seems to have stopped crying. A bit more wobbly than usual, but she sits as she always would; back straight, head held high, ears attentively up.
„You may. What do you need, Moon? We will take care of Rover, he will be buried properly."
„I know he will. He deserves that much at least… But that is for him, this is for me."
Drawing in a deep breath, closing her eye as her chest swills with air, opening again as it slowly leaves her again. Her eye. Moon appears calm, but her green eye lets see past that mask. A calm intensity, burning hotter than even the flames of rage in Talon currently.
„If anyhow the situation permits, I would ask you, when the traitor is caught… permit me to carry out the sentence. Give him to me."
Talon and Moon remain silent for a few heartbeats, neither flinching from the other's gaze, though the effort for that lies far more on Talon's side. The words from Moon's maw may ask something, but there is no question in her gaze. Only a certainty, an inevitability. If the one who did this won't die by Talon's claws, they WILL at hers. To try and deny her would change nothing. Even a leader's will could not surmount this. One way or another, Moon would see her mate's murderer bleed. And so it shall be. Something was taken, from the clan, the faction, but far more was taken from her. Talon would not deny her. If this is the solace she craves, Talon will deliver it.
„You have my word on it."
Wordlessly, Moon nods, her features softening for a brief moment into an expression of gratitude. Her attempt to recover a neutral expression after that nearly fails, as her gaze returns to Rover. Halfway catching a sob in her throat before it can escape her, a slight shivering overtakes her again. She permits herself no further noise beyond her focused breathing, though a slow, yet steady tickle of tears soon drips from her chin, down into the pool of red her paws still soak in.
Edge slowly pads over to Talon, sitting down beside the leader, his hulking frame making the red eyed tom almost looking small. His voice is quiet, as Viper very gently attempts to approach Moon, her reaction to touch no longer so extreme, soon even accepting the other she-cat's shoulder to lean on.
„Is this truly what I think it is? A traitor, in our midst?"
Talon nods, before realising a moment later whom he is nodding to. But attempting to speak, Edge raises his paw, before unsheathing a single claw and pointing at his whiskers.
„Whiskers. I could feel your response from this close. But this…"
He turns his head roughly in the direction of the two she-cats.
„How long have we known?"
Talon lets out a deep breath.
„Meat from the dog-kill went missing, resurfacing among the rogues that invaded… along with herbs. Scourge told me before that still, but wouldn't say who it was…"
Edge grumbles in thought at this for a moment.
„Perhaps it is a test of sorts. For you to find the traitor… and punish them. Scourge would know you were hesitant top draw Bloodclan blood."
Talon's claws drag through the asphalt, as much grinding themselves down as leaving marks upon the ground with a slow shrieking sound. Every pump of his heart sends a searing heat through his veins at the mere suggestion.
„A mere test does not get to incorporate the deaths of clanmates…"
Edge furrows his brow, nodding slowly.
„Either way, that foxheart will be found. After this, there will be no hiding, they will be flushed out. In this, all of us will stand as one!"
Talon lets out a scoffing hiss
„All of us except one…"
But Edge is right. It's his fault, Talon did not take a known threat seriously enough. He allowed his search to drag, Rover to wander alone. Now, he will make it right, as right as it still can. Scourge will answer him, the traitor will be found. This time, Talon may just enjoy the bloodshed more than the fight itself, if there is any joy to be found at all in this mess. There can be no mercy for this. A rogue kills because he hopes to gain the means to survive another day. Killing a clanmate, there is no excuse for, no explanation. There can be only one punishment.